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  • An Accidental Death

  • A DC Smith Investigation Series, Book 1
  • By: Peter Grainger
  • Narrated by: Gildart Jackson
  • Length: 6 hrs and 52 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (361 ratings)
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An Accidental Death cover art

An Accidental Death

By: Peter Grainger
Narrated by: Gildart Jackson
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Summary

The story opens with the apparently accidental drowning of a sixth form student in the Norfolk countryside. As a matter of routine, or so it seems, the case passes across the desk of Detective Sergeant Smith, recently returned to work after an internal investigation into another case that has led to tensions between officers at Kings Lake police headquarters. As an ex-DCI, Smith could have retired by now, and it is clear that some of his superiors wish that he would do so. The latest trainee detective to work with him is the son of a member of his former team, and together they begin to unravel the truth about what happened to Wayne Fletcher. As the investigation proceeds, it becomes clear that others are involved - some seem determined to prevent it, some seem to be taking too much interest. In the end, Smith operates alone, having stepped too far outside standard procedures to ask for support. He knows that his own life might be at risk but he has not calculated on the life of his young assistant also being put in danger.

©2013 Peter Grainger (P)2016 Tantor

What listeners say about An Accidental Death

Average customer ratings
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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Plodding In Fine Style!

Well I have just spent a pleasant few hours in the company of the oddly-named DC “DC Smith”, an interesting choice of initials for a detective constable if ever there was one. This is Frost rebooted, a gumpy old curmudgeon but with more of a human side and a considerably beefier background. There is a young protégé to add to the mix and as crime fiction so often has it the usual mix of doubting senior officers, competitive colleagues and local characters.

It would be wrong to write this one off as just another cliché though. The writing is clever and the characters are engaging. What this book also proves is that you can write a good crime novel without killing off half the local population and incorporating the worst of crimes. The central incident of this novel is an almost mundane seeming accidental drowning of a local teenager that is almost but not quite closed as just that rather than being properly investigated.

The narration by Gildart Jackson seems to fit these character to a tee. It’s not the most energetic of performances but it does breathe genuine life into the lead character. The story itself does develop significantly from its humble beginnings and the mental leap to the end from the starting mundane incident is a big one. The back story of DC Smith is also gradually revealed and he does surprise us with being quite a bit more than just another old cantankerous detective on the verge of retirement.

I liked it despite its brevity.

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Real talent .

Best in a long time , at last a crime novel without foul language , foul language is no substitute for talent , something other writers could learn from , contrary to popular belief foul language is not common with the majority of people particularly those who are well read .

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Very Enjoyable

Just the sort of book I like. A bit of tension at times but with no graphical horror. A really good story that just flows and is clearly narrated. Can't be better than that!

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

easy detective

no unnecessary violence or extreme language. A good easy listen which held my interest

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent throughout.

Police procedural, well paced murder investigation, free of gratuitous body horror but by no means 'cosy ' everyday humour well integrated throughout. I bought next in series half way through.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Must do better!

Was enjoying the story but I was thrown when the author used the term ‘coloured’ to describe someone on multiple occasions, what exactly does he mean?.. I had to check when the book was published, 2016?! Really?

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Average at best

I really had to make myself listen to the entire book, the story was average and the characters rather boring, but the worst of it all was the narrator, he was so flat and monotone.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Sweet story

A sweet police procedural which has a benign older cop, Mentoring a bright young University graduate. Some nice twists and turns. Demonstrating generational differences and mutual learning.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Very poor narration

By far and away the worst narration I've heard in almost 100 audio books. Sounds like you can't be bothered and just blasting through.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent narration. wonderful story.

Nothing to dislike in this audio book. I loved the story of the old copper a the rookie partnership. I hope there are more like this.

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